Coronavirus (COVID-19) Announcements & Resources

ORLA continues to work on behalf of Oregon's hospitality industry to provide advocacy, information and resources to help mitigate the negative impacts of the coronavirus (COVID-19). With the fluid nature of this situation, ORLA encourages hospitality industry members to stay informed by subscribing to emails and following the CEO Blog. To receive push notifications with updates including actions you can take to assist us in representing your interests, text “ORLA” to 52886. 

​RESOURCES & INFORMATION

​Vaccines
The National Restaurant Association's Restaurant Law Center has shared the following resource as a best practice: Restaurant Guidance: Legal Issues to Consider Regarding COVID-19 Mandatory Vaccine Policies. Restaurants should encourage all employees to get the COVID-19 vaccine when it becomes available. This document addresses legal questions raised by those wanting to go the extra step by mandating the COVID-19 vaccine as a condition of employment. (Note, this guidance should not be construed as legal advice.)

SAIF developed a Q&A that provides answers to your questions regarding the COVID-19 vaccine, including employee mandates, coverage, and how to provide resources to your employees. Read more on SAIF.com.

Outdoor Dining / Heaters
As of Jan. 29, 2021, OHA guidance allows for outdoor structures that have a temporary or fixed cover, like an awning or roof, as long as there is at least 50% of the square footage of its sides open for airflow. The enclosed sides may not be adjacent (next to) each other. ORLA is in active discussions with the Oregon Fire Marshall’s Office (OFMO) to ensure our industry has the guidance necessary to provide safe outdoor dining space. See the following resources for providing safe outdoor spaces:

• Sector Guidance — Eating and Drinking Establishments
  
• OLCC process for serving outdoors - application
• OFC Joint Policy Bulletin: Tent Use (and Heaters) During Declared Emergencies
• Outdoor Heater Safety - Fact Sheet (NFPA)
• Building and Life Safety Issues for Tents - Fact Sheet (NFPA)
• Ensuring Fire Safety while Protecting Patrons and Employees from COVID-19 (scroll down to "Code Corner")

Restaurant-Specific Resources

• (11.9.20) Guidance from OHA allows self-service operations with restrictions
• Reopening Guidance FAQs for Restaurants and Bars (Oregon Health Authority) 
• (NRA) Reopening Guidance: A Guide for the Restaurant Industry
• OLCC COVID-19 Alcohol FAQs
• A 5-Step Action Plan How Your Business Should Handle Anti-Mask Guests
• Best Practices for Re-Opening Retail Food Establishments - FDA
• Best Practices for Retail Food Stores, Restaurants, and Food Pick-Up/Delivery Services - U.S. FDA
• Reducing Food Waste - Metro, Oregon Food Bank​
• Industry-specific guidance for owners and operators - National Restaurant Association​
• What Can You Do? (pdf) - ServSafe
• Handwashing Posters (ENG and Spanish) - ServSafe
• Cleaning v. Sanitizing (ENG and Spanish) - ServSafe​

Lodging-Specific Resources

• Guest Check-In Statement to Read and Sign (ORLA)
• AHLA Safe Stay: Enhanced Industry-wide Hotel Cleaning Standards​
• AHLA Housekeeping Frequency During a Safe Stay
• AAHOA/P&G Professional’s Training in Hotel Sanitization and Cleanliness: free training in hotel sanitization and cleanliness.
• Oregon Phase One Reopening - Lodging Sector to follow General Guidance for Employers
• Standout Storytelling; free resources and trainings dedicated to helping hospitality and leisure businesses tell more engaging stories.
• Travel in the New Normal: Industry Guidance for Promoting the Health and Safety of All Travelers - US Travel Association
• ​Hotel Marketing During The Coronavirus Crisis: A Guide For Communication Today And Turnaround Preparedness
• Impact on Hotel Room Demand And Direct Industry Job Loss: Comparison Between 9/11, Recession And Early Stage Of Coronavirus Pandemic - Oxford Economic Study
• Facts about Coronavirus (resources, and downloadable flyers) - AHLA​

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Health, Safety & Sanitation​

• COVID-19 Test Site Locator - Oregon Health Authority​
• ​What Employers Need to Know: FAQs on COVID-19 and Workers’ Comp - SAIF
• Updates in Oregon, Resources, Fact Sheets - Oregon Health Authority
• Oregon Guidance for Employers on COVID-19 - Oregon Health Authority
• Scope of Oregon OSHA COVID-19 Activity Q&A - Oregon OSHA 
• Downloadable prevention flyers in English and Spanish - CDC
• Environmental Cleaning and Disinfection Recommendations - CDC​

Information on Face Mask / Coverings

• OHA developed a Face Mask Accommodation Sign businesses can use for patrons unable to wear face coverings.
• A 5-Step Action Plan: How to Handle Anti-Mask Guests - Fisher Phillips
• Oregon COVID-19 Mask Requirements - Oregon Health Authority
• Guests' Face Covering Use - National Restaurant Association
• Know Your Rights - Mask Wearing and the American with Disabilities Act - Disability Rights of Oregon
• Best Practices for complying with Statewide Mask, Face Shield, Face Covering Guidance - Oregon OSHA​

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General Employer Resources 

• COVID-19 Business Liability Concerns: Presentation to Oregon's House Judiciary Committee (5/28/20)
• Oregon General Guidance for Employers on COVID-19 - Oregon Health Authority
• COVID-19 Related Business Layoffs, Closures, and Unemployment Insurance Benefits - Oregon Employment Department​
• Coronavirus (COVID-19) Financial Resources for Businesses - Business Oregon​
• SBA to Provide Disaster Assistance Loans for Small Businesses Impacted by Coronavirus (COVID-19) - SBA (Small Business Association); apply here
• ​COVID-10/Coronavirus in Oregon: Facts about Sick Time - BOLI

Other Resources​

• Economic Impact Payment Information Center (IRS) answers many questions regarding eligibility and payment.
• ​Work Source Oregon helps support businesses and workers to avoid mass layoffs and lost wages and benefits - Work Source Oregon
• Tourism communication materials, business resources toolkit - Travel Oregon
• COVIC-19 resources for travel businesses, travel workers - U.S. Travel Association​
• Comprehensive FAQs for Employers on the COVID-19 Coronavirus - Fisher Phillips (benefits, wage and hour, employee leave)​
• Webcast on Coronavirus including steps to mitigate losses with hotel and vendor contracts and other legal considerations - ASAE​

QUICK LINKS

- Announcements & Resources
​​- FAQ
​- Federal Action 
- Guest Check-In Statement/Lodging (pdf)
​- Keep Our Communities Fed (To-Go/Retail)
​- ORLA Advocacy / CEO Updates
- ORLA Relief Efforts
​- Reducing Food Waste Resources
- Relief Available for Employers & Employees
​​​- Safety Checklists, Decals, Postings
- Sanitation Cards (pdf)

• - OHA COVID-19 Updates
  - Status of Activities: Find Your County
  - Guidance Based on Risk Level: Restaurants

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​ORLA Updates:

• Dec. 3, 2020 - As part of the $55 million in CARES Act funding, Oregon counties are distributing Small Business Relief Funds based on eligibility criteria. Businesses need to act fast and contact counties for applications.
• Nov. 6, 2020 - Governor Brown's announcement has us deeply concerned. It was announced there will be a new 2-week restriction on restaurants effective Wednesday, November 11 in the following counties: Jackson, Umatilla, Malheur, Marion, and Multnomah Counties. Read ORLA's CEO blog and the press release in response
• Sept. 22, 2020 - ORLA provided testimony featuring the latest economic impact data from Oregon’s hospitality industry. Testimony focused on the importance of a second round of Paycheck Protection Program funding from the federal government while also working with state leaders to safely get to Phase Two reopening status for Oregon’s remaining 5 counties still in Phase One.
• Sept. 10, 2020 - ORLA is hosting Elected Leader Listening Sessions for members to talk with lawmakers to help them better understand the challenges facing Oregon’s vast collection of restaurant and lodging operations during COVID-19. Our collective voice will prove important in doing whatever we can to keep Oregon’s hospitality industry on the radar with the time and attention it deserves in public forums.

LATEST ANNOUNCEMENTS & EMERGENCY ORDERS​

• [11.17.20 - State of Oregon] - Governor Kate Brown announces $55 million in financial assistance to support Oregon businesses
• [11.17.20 - State of Oregon] - Governor Kate Brown issues Executive Order on the temporary freeze to stop the rapid spread of COVID-19
• [11.6.20 - State of Oregon] - Governor Kate Brown announces two-week pause that reduces maximum restaurant capacity to 50 people indoors and groups no larger than 6 people to help stop spread of virus in selected counties. (ORLA response)
• [10.27.20 - State of Oregon] - Governor Brown extended her declaration of a state of emergency regarding COVID-19 for an additional 60 days, until January 2, 2021.
• [10.22.20 - Oregon Health Authority] - OHA issues new guidance for bowling alleys and skating rinks.
• [10.19.20 - State of Oregon] - Effective 10/19: Oregon Health Authority now requires employers to provide masks, face coverings or face shields for employees and recommends wearing a face covering/mask instead of a face shield (except in limited situations).​